Patent application title: BATTERY PACK

Abstract:

A battery pack including a plurality of battery units with improved
insulating and cooling properties between the battery units is provided.
In one embodiment, a battery unit includes a battery cell and an
insulating wall including a plurality of protrusions contacting the
battery cell. The protrusions extend at least partly between opposite
edges of the insulating wall and define space between the battery cell
and regions between the protrusions.

Claims:

1. A battery unit comprising: a battery cell; and an insulating wall
comprising a plurality of protrusions contacting the battery cell, the
protrusions extending at least partly between opposite edges of the
insulating wall and defining space between the battery cell and regions
between the protrusions.

2. The battery unit of claim 1, wherein the insulating wall further
comprises at least one supporting member protruding from an edge thereof
for holding the battery cell against the protrusions.

3. The battery unit of claim 1, further comprising at least one second
insulating wall protruding from at least one edge of the insulating wall
in a same direction as the protrusions, wherein one or more of the walls
comprises at least one supporting member protruding from an edge thereof
for holding the battery cell against the protrusions.

4. The battery unit of claim 1, wherein the insulating wall has openings
along the opposite edges and aligned with the regions between the
protrusions.

5. The battery unit of claim 4, wherein the openings along the opposite
edges are aligned with each other.

6. The battery unit of claim 1, wherein the plurality of protrusions are
parallel to each other.

7. The battery unit of claim 1, wherein the insulating wall has a
plurality of second openings at the regions between the protrusions.

8. The battery unit of claim 7, wherein the plurality of second openings
comprises a plurality of elongated openings extending at least partly
between the openings along the opposite edges.

9. The battery unit of claim 8, wherein the plurality of second openings
comprises a plurality of holes spaced apart from each other between the
openings along the opposite edges.

10. The battery unit of claim 1, further comprising at least one second
insulating wall protruding in a same direction as the protrusions from at
least one of the opposite edges of the insulating wall, wherein the at
least one second insulating wall has an opening aligned with a vent
member of the battery cell.

11. The battery unit of claim 1, further comprising a radiation sheet on
a side of the insulating wall opposite the side on which the protrusions
are located.

12. A battery pack comprising: a frame; and a battery module on the
frame, the battery module comprising a plurality of battery units stacked
together, each of the battery units comprising: a battery cell, and an
insulating wall comprising a plurality of protrusions contacting the
battery cell, the protrusions extending at least partly between opposite
edges of the insulating wall and defining space between the battery cell
and regions between the protrusions.

13. The battery pack of claim 2, wherein the insulating wall further
comprises at least one supporting member protruding from an edge thereof
for holding the battery cell against the protrusions.

14. The battery pack of claim 12, wherein each of the battery units
further comprises at least one second insulating wall protruding from at
least one edge of the insulating wall in a same direction as the
protrusions, wherein one or more of the walls comprises at least one
supporting member protruding from an edge thereof for holding the battery
cell against the protrusions.

15. The battery pack of claim 12, wherein the insulating wall has
openings along the opposite edges and aligned with the regions between
the protrusions.

16. The battery pack of claim 15, wherein the openings along the opposite
edges are aligned with each other.

17. The battery pack of claim 12, wherein the plurality of protrusions
are parallel to each other.

18. The battery pack of claim 12, wherein the insulating wall has a
plurality of second openings at the regions between the protrusions.

19. The battery pack of claim 18, wherein the plurality of second
openings comprises a plurality of elongated openings extending at least
partly between the openings along the opposite edges.

20. The battery pack of claim 18, wherein the plurality of second
openings comprises a plurality of holes spaced apart from each other
between the openings along the opposite edges.

21. The battery pack of claim 12, wherein each of the battery units
further comprises at least one second insulating wall protruding in a
same direction as the protrusions from at least one of the opposite edges
of the insulating wall, wherein the at least one second insulating wall
has an opening aligned with a vent member of the battery cell.

22. The battery pack of claim 12, wherein each of the battery units
further comprises at least one second insulating wall protruding from the
insulating wall and extending between the opposite edges along the
insulating wall.

23. The battery pack of claim 22, wherein the at least one second
insulating wall comprises at least one second protrusion on an outside
surface thereof and protruding away from the battery cell, and the at
least one second protrusion is configured to engage a receiving portion
of the frame.

24. The battery pack of claim 12, wherein each of the battery units
further comprises a radiation sheet on a side of the insulating wall
opposite the side on which the protrusions are located.

25. The battery pack of claim 12, wherein the frame comprises a plurality
of openings aligned with said space.

Description:

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/254,130, filed on Oct. 22, 2009, in the
United States Patent and Trademark Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field

[0003] An aspect of an embodiment of the present invention relates to a
battery pack.

[0004] 2. Description of Related Art

[0005] Rechargeable batteries are rechargeable, unlike primary batteries
that are not designed to be rechargeable. Rechargeable batteries have
been widely used in vehicles as well as other electronic devices such as
cellular phones, notebook computers and camcorders.

[0006] A rechargeable battery includes an electrode assembly and an
electrolyte. The electrode assembly includes a cathode plate, an anode
plate and a separator. Mostly, the electrolyte includes lithium ions.
Each of the cathode and anode plates may include an electrode tab
extending to the outside.

[0007] The electrode assembly may be contained in a case, and an electrode
terminal may extend out of the case. The electrode tab may extend out of
the electrode assembly so as to be electrically connected to the
electrode terminal. The case may have a circular or square shape.

[0008] A battery pack may be formed by horizontally or vertically stacking
a plurality of unit battery cells of a rechargeable battery. Each unit
battery cell of the battery pack needs to be protected from the outside,
and rechargeable batteries that are stacked adjacent to each other need
to be insulated from each other.

SUMMARY

[0009] An aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a
battery pack including at least one battery cell with improved insulating
and cooling properties between battery cells.

[0010] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a battery unit
includes a battery cell and an insulating wall including a plurality of
protrusions contacting the battery cell. The protrusions extend at least
partly between opposite edges of the insulating wall and define space
between the battery cell and regions between the protrusions.

[0011] The insulating wall may further include at least one supporting
member protruding from an edge thereof for holding the battery cell
against the protrusions.

[0012] The battery unit may further include at least one second insulating
wall protruding from at least one edge of the insulating wall in a same
direction as the protrusions, wherein one or more of the walls may
include at least one supporting member protruding from an edge thereof
for holding the battery cell against the protrusions.

[0013] The wall may have openings along the opposite edges and aligned
with the regions between the protrusions. The openings along the opposite
edges may be aligned with each other.

[0014] The plurality of protrusions may be parallel to each other.

[0015] The insulating wall may have a plurality of second openings at the
regions between the protrusions. The plurality of second openings may
include a plurality of elongated openings extending at least partly
between the openings along the opposite edges. The plurality of second
openings may include a plurality of holes spaced apart from each other
between the openings along the opposite edges.

[0016] The battery unit may further include at least one second insulating
wall protruding in a same direction as the protrusions from at least one
of the opposite edges of the insulating wall. The at least one second
insulating wall may have an opening aligned with a vent member of the
battery cell.

[0017] The battery unit may further include at least one second insulating
wall protruding from the insulating wall and extending between the
opposite edges along the insulating wall.

[0018] The battery unit may further include a radiation sheet on a side of
the insulating wall opposite the side on which the protrusions are
located.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a battery
pack includes a frame and a battery module on the frame, the battery
module including a plurality of battery units stacked together. Each of
the battery units includes a battery cell and an insulating wall
including a plurality of protrusions contacting the battery cell, the
protrusions extending at least partly between opposite edges of the
insulating wall and defining space between the battery cell and regions
between the protrusions.

[0020] Each of the battery units may further include at least one second
insulating wall protruding from at least one edge of the insulating wall
in a same direction as the protrusions, wherein one or more of the walls
may include at least one supporting member protruding from an edge
thereof for holding the battery cell against the protrusions.

[0021] The at least one second insulating wall may include at least one
second protrusion on an outside surface thereof and protruding away from
the battery cell, and the at least one second protrusion may be
configured to engage a receiving portion of the frame.

[0022] The frame may include a plurality of openings aligned with said
space.

[0023] According to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, in
a battery pack including at least one battery cell, the insulating and
cooling properties between battery cells may be improved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack in which a plurality
of battery cells are stacked in a horizontal direction, according to an
embodiment of the present invention;

[0025]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a battery unit in which a unit
battery cell is in a cell cover in the battery pack of FIG. 1, according
to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the battery unit of FIG. 2, which
is viewed from the opposite side of FIG. 2, according to another
embodiment of the present invention;

[0027]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the battery unit taken along a
line IV-IV of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment of the present
invention;

[0028]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the battery unit where a battery
cell and a cell cover are separated from each other, according to another
embodiment of the present invention;

[0029]FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating two battery units stacked
adjacent to each other in the battery pack of FIG. 1, according to an
embodiment of the present invention;

[0030]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a battery unit in which a battery
cell is in a cell cover in the battery pack of FIG. 1, according to
another embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a frame for supporting battery
module, which is formed by stacking battery units, from below in the
battery pack of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present
invention;

[0032]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a cover plate of the battery pack
of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033]FIG. 10 illustrates a battery unit supported by battery unit
supporting units of a lateral frame in the battery pack of FIG. 1,
according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack taken along a
line XI-XI of FIG. 10, according to an embodiment of the present
invention; and

[0035]FIG. 12 is a plan view of a portion of a frame of the battery pack
of FIG. 1, which is viewed from below, according to an embodiment of the
present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by
explaining exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached
drawings.

[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a battery pack 10 in which a
plurality of battery cells 510 are horizontally stacked, according to an
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a
battery unit 500 in which a battery cell 510 is in a cell cover 520 in
the battery pack 10, according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the battery unit 500 of FIG. 2, which is
viewed from the opposite side of FIG. 2, according to another embodiment
of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the battery
unit 500 taken along a line IV-IV of FIG. 2, according to an embodiment
of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the battery
unit 500 where the battery cell 510 and the cell cover 520 are separated
from each other, according to another embodiment of the present
invention.

[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, the battery pack 10 may include at
least one battery cell 510, and may be formed by stacking a plurality of
battery units 500 together. The battery pack 10 may include a battery
module 100, a frame 200, cover plates 300, and an assembly bar 400.

[0039] The battery module 100 is an aggregate of a plurality of battery
units 500, and is formed by horizontally stacking the battery units 500.
The battery module 100 may be mounted on the frame 200 so that the
battery module 100 is supported by the frame 200 from below.

[0040] The cover plates 300 may be disposed at both ends of the battery
module 100 so as to horizontally support the battery module 100 in which
the battery units 500 are horizontally stacked. The assembly bar 400 may
connect the battery units 500, which are horizontally stacked, to each
other and support the battery units 500.

[0041] In FIG. 1, the battery module 100 includes the battery units 500
that are horizontally stacked. However, the present invention is not
limited thereto. That is, unlike in FIG. 1, the battery module 100 that
is an aggregate of the battery units 500 may be formed by vertically
stacking the battery units 500.

[0042] In one embodiment of the present invention, the battery module 100
is mounted on the frame 200 so that the battery module 100 may be
supported from the side, and the battery module 100 may be vertically
supported by the cover plate 300. In addition, the assembly bar 400 may
connect the battery units 500, which are vertically stacked, to each
other and support the battery units 500. However, when the battery units
500 are vertically stacked, the features and aspects of embodiments of
the present invention, which will be described hereinafter, may also be
used.

[0043] Each of the battery units 500, which are horizontally stacked to
form the battery module 100, may include the battery cell 510 and the
cell cover 520.

[0044] The battery cells 510 may be horizontally stacked so as to form the
battery pack 10. Each of the battery cells 510 may be a square battery
cell, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5. However, the present invention
is not limited thereto. That is, battery cells having various suitable
shapes including a circular shape may be used as the battery cell 510.

[0045] A general rechargeable battery may be used as the battery cell 510.
The rechargeable battery may include an electrode assembly and an
electrolyte. The electrode assembly may include a cathode plate, an anode
plate and a separator. The electrolyte may include lithium ions. Each of
the cathode and anode plates may include an electrode tab extended to the
outside.

[0046] The electrode assembly may be in a case 511. Electrode terminals
512 may be exposed out of the case 511. The electrode tab may extend out
of the electrode assembly so as to be electrically connected to the
electrode terminals 512. The case 511 may have a circular or square
shape.

[0047] The battery module 100 may be formed by horizontally or vertically
stacking together a plurality of rechargeable batteries. The electrode
terminals 512 of the rechargeable batteries that are stacked adjacent to
each other in the battery module 100 may be electrically connected to
each other. In one embodiment, the electrode terminals 512 of the
rechargeable batteries that are stacked adjacent to each other may be
electrically connected by a bus bar 600.

[0048] A cap plate 513 (e.g., a thin plate) may be coupled to an opening
of the case 511. An electrolyte inlet for injecting an electrolyte into
the case 511 may be formed in the cap plate 513, and a sealing cap 514
may be installed in the electrolyte inlet.

[0049] A vent member 515 in which a groove is formed may be installed or
fabricated on the cap plate 513 so as to be torn or ruptured by a set
internal pressure. When the battery cell 510 is installed in the cell
cover 520, a gas exhausting unit 525 of the cell cover 520 may be
positioned to be aligned with the vent member 515.

[0050] The cell cover 520 may surround at least a portion of the battery
cell 510 so as to protect the battery cell 510 from the outside. In the
battery pack 10 including at least one battery cell 510, the cell cover
520 may improve the insulating and cooling properties between the battery
cells 510.

[0052] The cover body 521 may surround at least a portion of the battery
cell 510 so as to protect the battery cell 510 from the outside. At least
one vertical rib 522 is formed on a surface of the cover body 521 so that
the cover body 521 and the battery cell 510 may be spaced apart from each
other.

[0053] Each of the terminal insertion holes 523 is a through-hole formed
through an upper surface of the cover body 521 so that the electrode
terminals 512 of the battery cell 510 are inserted into the terminal
insertion holes 523. The cell supporting units 524 supports the battery
cell 510 in the cell cover 520 towards or against the inside of the cell
cover 520.

[0054] The gas exhausting unit 525 is a through hole formed through an
upper surface of the cover body 521 so as to correspond to the vent
member 515 of the battery cell 510 in the cell cover 520. The assembly
unit 526 may be coupled to that of another adjacent battery unit 500 so
as to fix or secure the battery units 500.

[0055] The cover body 521 surrounds at least one surface of the battery
cell 510 so as to protect the battery cell 510 from the outside. In this
case, at least one side of the cover body 521 may be opened, and the
battery cell 510 may be inserted into and ejected from the cell cover 520
through the opened side of the cover body 521.

[0056] The cover body 521 may be formed of an insulating material and may
include a plurality of insulating walls. Thus, the cover body 521 may
electrically insulate the battery cell 510 in the cell cover 520 from
other battery cells 510 that are stacked adjacent to each other.

[0057] In one embodiment, the cover body 521 may be formed of a plastic
material. Thus, a light and inexpensive material such as plastic may be
used to insulate the battery cell 510 in the cell cover 520 from other
adjacent battery cells 510 and to protect the battery cell 510 in the
cell cover 520 from the outside. However, the present invention is not
limited thereto, and thus the cover body 521 may be formed of various
suitable insulating materials in addition to plastic.

[0058] In addition, a cooling path between the battery cells 510 may be
obtained. In particular, the cooling path using air circulation may be
obtained between the adjacent battery cells 510.

[0059] When a subsidiary wall formed of aluminium or metal is inserted or
anodized in order to obtain an air path for insulation and cooling
between battery cells, maintenance of insulation between the battery
cells may not be ensured. However, when the cover body 521 is formed of
an insulating material, insulation and cooling may be easily obtained
between the adjacent battery cells 510.

[0060] The cover body 521 may include a first surface 521a, a second
surface 521b, an upper surface 521c, a lower surface 521d, and both
lateral surfaces 521e.

[0061] The first surface 521a is a supporting surface for supporting the
battery cell 510 in the cover body 521. The second surface 521b faces an
opening side through which the battery cell 510 is inserted into and
ejected from the cell cover 520.

[0062] The upper surface 521c is a surface for protecting the battery cell
510 from above. The lower surface 521d is a surface for supporting the
battery cell 510 from below. The lateral surfaces 521e are surfaces for
supporting and protecting the battery cell 510 from the sides.

[0063] The first surface 521a may support the battery cell 510 inserted
into the cell cover 520, and may be inserted between the battery cell 510
and the adjacent battery cell 510 that is stacked adjacent to the battery
cell 510. Thus, the adjacent battery cells 510 may be spaced apart from
each other by the first surface 521a formed of an insulating material.
The first surface 521a may be a surface of a thin plate, wherein the
vertical rib 522 is formed on at least one surface of the thin plate.

[0064] At least one vertical rib 522 may be vertically formed on a surface
of the cover body 521, such as the first surface 521a, so that the cover
body 521 and the battery cell 510 are spaced apart from each other.
According to one embodiment, the vertical rib 522 may be formed on an
internal surface such as the second surface 521b. However, the present
invention is not limited thereto, and the vertical rib 522 may be formed
on at least one of internal and external surfaces of the cover body 521
(e.g., first surface 521a and second surface 521b).

[0065] An air path 532 may be formed to extend upwards or downwards in a
space between the first surface 521a and the battery cell 510 that are
spaced apart from each other. By circulating air through the air path
532, heat generated from the battery cell 510 or another element may be
effectively emitted to the outside.

[0066] Thus, the performance of heat dissipation of the battery pack 10
may be improved, and therefore the electrical performance of the battery
pack 10 may be improved. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an embodiment where air
is circulated downwards (arrow direction). However, the present invention
is not limited to this embodiment. That is, the positions of an air inlet
527 and an air outlet 528 may be reversed, and air may be circulated
upwards.

[0067] To achieve this, the air inlet 527 and the air outlet 528 may be
formed on the cell cover 520. The air inlet 527 may be formed on the
upper surface 521c of the cover body 521, or on an edge joining the upper
surface 521c and the first surface 521a. The air outlet 528 may be formed
on the lower surface 521d of the cover body 521, or on an edge joining
the lower surface 521d and the first surface 521a.

[0068] Thus, the air path 532 may be formed from the air inlet 527 to the
air outlet 528 through a space between the first surface 521a of the
cover body 521 and the battery cell 510, which is formed by the adjacent
vertical ribs 522. In addition, slits 531 may be formed on the first
surface 521a of the cover body 521 in spaces between the adjacent
vertical ribs 522 so as to effectively emit heat generated from the
battery cell 510.

[0069] The cell cover 520 may further include a radiation sheet 540. The
radiation sheet 540 may be attached to an external surface of the cover
body 521 such as the first surface 521a. Thus, the radiation sheet 540
may contact the battery cell 510 of the adjacent battery unit 500 that is
stacked adjacent to the battery unit 500.

[0070] In this case, heat generated from the battery cell 510 of the
adjacent battery unit 500 that is stacked adjacent to the battery unit
500 may be emitted via the radiation sheet 540 and through the air path
532 formed in the cell cover 520. In addition, heat generated from the
battery cell 510 of the adjacent battery unit 500 that is stacked
adjacent to the battery unit 500, which is transmitted through the
radiation sheet 540, may be effectively transmitted to the air path 532
by the slits 531 formed in spaces between the adjacent vertical ribs 522
of the first surface 521a of the cover body 521.

[0071] In FIGS. 1 through 6, the slits 531 are formed in the spaces
between the adjacent vertical ribs 522 of the first surface 521a of the
cover body 521, but the present invention is not limited thereto. That
is, as illustrated in FIG. 7, heat generated from the battery cell 510 of
the adjacent battery unit 500 that is stacked adjacent to the battery
unit 500 may be effectively transmitted to the air path 532 via
through-holes 531a formed in the first surface 521a, instead of the slits
531.

[0072] The battery cell 510 may be inserted into or ejected from the cell
cover 520 through an opened side on the second surface 521b. The battery
cell 510 in the cell cover 520 may contact the first surface 521a of the
cell cover 520 or the radiation sheet 540 of the adjacent battery unit
500 that is stacked adjacent to the battery unit 500, through the opened
side on the second surface 521b.

[0073] The cell cover 520 may include cell supporting units 524. The cell
supporting units 524 may be formed so as to protrude from at least one of
the upper surface 521c and the lower surface 521d towards the battery
cell 510 inserted into the cell cover 520. In this case, the cell
supporting units 524 may be integrally formed with at least one of the
upper surface 521c and the lower surface 521d.

[0074] The cell supporting units 524 may be flexible so that the battery
cell 510 may be inserted into the cell cover 520 when the cell supporting
units 524 protrude from at least one of the upper surface 521c and the
lower surface 521d. In this case, the cell supporting units 524 may
flexibly support the battery cell 510 in the cell cover 520 towards the
inside of the cell cover 520.

[0075] The upper surface 521c may protect an upper portion of the battery
cell 510 from the outside. The terminal insertion holes 523 may be formed
in the upper surface 521c so as to expose the electrode terminals 512 to
the outside. The terminal insertion holes 523 are through holes formed
through the upper surface 521c of the cover body 521 so that the
electrode terminals 512 of the battery cell 510 are inserted into the
terminal insertion holes 523 so as to expose the electrode terminals 512
to the outside.

[0076] The gas exhausting unit 525 may be formed on the upper surface 521c
so as to exhaust gas generated in the battery cell 510. The gas
exhausting unit 525 may be formed with a duct shape, and may be connected
to an external duct so as to exhaust gas generated in the battery cell
510 to the outside.

[0077] In one embodiment, the gas exhausting unit 525 may be formed as a
through-hole on an upper surface of the cover body 521 so as to
correspond to the vent member 515 of the battery cell 510 in the cell
cover 520.

[0078] In addition, the air inlet 527 connected to the air path 532 may be
formed in the upper surface 521c. The air inlet 527 may be formed as at
least one through-hole on the upper surface 521c of the cover body 521,
or on an edge joining the upper surface 521c and the first surface 521a.

[0079] The lower surface 521d may protect and support the battery cell 510
from below. When the battery module 100 is mounted on the frame 200, the
lower surface 521d may contact the frame 200.

[0080] The air outlet 528 connected to the air path 532 may be formed on
the lower surface 521d. The air outlet 528 may be formed as at least one
through-hole on the lower surface 521d of the cover body 521, or on an
edge joining the lower surface 521d and the first surface 521a.

[0081] Both lateral surfaces 521e may support and protect the battery cell
510 from the sides. In addition, the adjacent battery units 500 may be
connected and supported by the lateral surfaces 521e.

[0082] A horizontal rib 529 may be formed on an internal surface of the
cover body 520 opposite to the lateral surface 521e, and the internal
surface contacts the battery cell 510. Due to the horizontal rib 529, the
internal surface is spaced apart from the battery cell 510 by an interval
(e.g., a predetermined interval), and an air path for circulating air may
be formed in a space between the battery cell 510 and the internal
surface of the cell cover 520. Therefore, heat generated from the battery
cell 510 may be effectively emitted through the air path.

[0083] In one embodiment, a through-hole 530 may be formed through the
lateral surface 521e of the cover body 521 or an edge joining the lateral
surface 521e and the first surface 521a. The through-hole 530 may be
connected to the air path formed between the battery cell 510 and the
internal surface.

[0084] The assembly unit 526 may be coupled to that of another adjacent
battery unit 500 so as to fix the battery units 500 together. The
assembly unit 526 may be formed on the lateral surface 521e of the cell
cover 520 so as to connect the battery cells 510 to each other, and
support and fix the battery cell 510 from its side.

[0085] The assembly unit 526 may include an assembly plate 526a and an
assembly hole 526b. The assembly plate 526a may be formed so as to
protrude from the lateral surface 521e of the cell cover 520. In one
embodiment, the assembly plate 526a may be formed like a plate that is
integrally formed with the cell cover 520. The battery unit 500 including
the cell cover 520 in which the battery cell 510 is installed may be
stacked together with other battery units 500 by the assembly plates
526a.

[0086] The assembly hole 526b may be formed through the assembly plate
526a. The assembly bar 400 is inserted through the assembly hole 526b
formed in each of the battery units 500 that are horizontally stacked so
that the battery units 500 are connected to each other and supported.
That is, the assembly bar 400 may support and fix the battery units 500
from the side when the battery units 500 are horizontally stacked.

[0087] Thus, the battery module 100 may be formed by simply and easily
stacking the battery units 500 guided by the assembly bar 400 and the
assembly unit 526. In addition, the assembly bar 400 may strongly support
and fix the battery units 500 so as to stack the battery units 500.

[0088] The cell cover 520 may further include lateral surface fixation
units 550. The lateral surface fixation units 550 are supported by the
frame 200 so that the movement of the battery unit 500 may be restricted
in at least one direction. In one embodiment, the lateral surface
fixation units 550 may be formed on the lateral surface 521e of the cell
cover 520.

[0089] The lateral surface fixation units 550 may be fixation hooks that
are inserted into battery unit supporting units 240 such as hook
insertion grooves or suitable openings formed on the frame 200. In one
embodiment, the lateral surface fixation units 550 (e.g., fixation hooks)
are coupled to the battery unit supporting units 240 (e.g., hook
insertion grooves) so that the cell cover 520 is supported by the frame
200.

[0090] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the frame 200 for supporting the
battery module 100, which is formed by stacking the battery units 500,
from below in the battery pack 10 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment
of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the cover plate
300 of the battery pack 10 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the
present invention.

[0091]FIG. 10 illustrates the case where the battery unit 500 is
supported by the battery unit supporting units 240 of a lateral frame 220
in the battery pack 10, according to an embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the battery pack 10 taken
along a line XI-XI of FIG. 10, according to an embodiment of the present
invention. FIG. 12 is a plan view of a portion of the frame 200 of the
battery pack 10, which is viewed from below, according to an embodiment
of the present invention.

[0092] By mounting the battery module 100 on the frame 200, the battery
module 100 may be effectively supported and fixed from below. The frame
200 may support and fix the battery units 500 so that the battery units
500 are effectively stacked. In addition, air may be effectively
exhausted from the battery units 500 through a lower portion of the frame
200.

[0093] The frame 200 may include a lower frame 210, a lateral frame 220,
and cover plate assembling units 230.

[0094] By mounting the battery module 100 on the lower frame 210, the
battery module 100 may be supported from below. The lateral frame 220
extends from the lower frame 210 along a lateral surface of the battery
unit 500 so as to support and fix the battery module 100 from the side of
a lower portion of the battery module 100. The cover plate assembling
units 230 may be disposed at both ends of the lower frame 210 so as to
support the cover plates 300.

[0095] By mounting the battery module 100 on the lower frame 210, the
battery module 100 may be supported and fixed from below.

[0096] Air path slits 212 or suitable openings may be further formed in
the lower frame 210. The air path slits 212 may be formed through
positions of the lower frame 210 that correspond to the battery units
500.

[0097] As illustrated in FIG. 12, the air path slits 212 may be formed so
as to correspond to the air outlets 528 formed on a lower surface of the
battery unit 500. Thus, air exhausted through the air path 532 of the
battery unit 500 may be effectively exhausted through the air path slits
212 formed in the lower frame 210. Therefore, the performance of heat
dissipation of the battery cells 510 that are horizontally stacked to be
mounted on the frame 200 may be improved.

[0098] As illustrated in FIG. 8, at least one through-hole 213 may be
formed through the lower frame 210. Due to the through holes 213 formed
through the lower frame 210, the weight of the frame 200 may be reduced,
and heat transmitted from the battery units 500 may be effectively
emitted.

[0099] The lateral frame 220 extends from the lower frame 210 along a
lateral surface of the battery unit 500 so as to support and fix the
battery module 100 from the side of a lower portion of the battery module
100. In order to effectively support the battery units 500, the battery
unit supporting units 240 may be formed on positions of the lateral frame
220, which correspond to the battery units 500.

[0100] The battery unit supporting units 240 are coupled to lateral
surface fixation units 550 of the cell cover 520 so as to support the
battery unit 500. In one embodiment, the battery unit supporting units
240 may be hook insertion grooves for receiving the lateral surface
fixation units 550 embodied as fixation hooks. In this embodiment, the
hook insertion grooves are coupled to the fixation hooks so that the cell
cover 520 is supported by the lower frame 210.

[0101] Thus, the lateral surface fixation units 550 are supported by the
battery unit supporting units 240 of the frame 200 so that the movement
of the battery unit 500 may be restricted in at least one direction.
According to one embodiment, the lateral surface fixation units 550,
which may be fixation hooks, are inserted into the battery unit
supporting units 240, which may be hook insertion grooves, so that the
movement of the battery unit 500 may be restricted in a horizontal
direction. Thus, the battery unit 500 may be effectively supported by the
frame 200.

[0102] The cover plate assembling units 230 may be disposed at both ends
of the lower frame 210 so as to support and fix the cover plates 300. The
cover plate assembling units 230 fixe the cover plates 300 so that the
battery module 100 in which the battery units 500 are stacked and
supported by the cover plates 300 may be effectively supported.

[0103] As illustrated in FIG. 8, a plurality of coupling holes 231 may be
formed in the cover plate assembling unit 230 disposed at both ends of
the lower frame 210. The coupling holes 231 may be formed so as to
correspond to coupling holes 321 of the cover plate 300.

[0104] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the cover plate assembling unit 230 and
the cover plate 300 are coupled through the coupling holes 231 and 321
that are respectively formed in the cover plate assembling unit 230 and
the cover plate 300 so as to be coupled and fixed by coupling elements.
The coupling elements may include a bolt and a nut that are coupled
together through the coupling holes 231 and 321. Thus, the cover plate
300 may be effectively supported by and fixed to the cover plate
assembling unit 230.

[0105] The cover plates 300 may be disposed at both ends of the battery
module 100 so as to horizontally support and fix the battery module 100
in which the battery units 500 are horizontally stacked. The cover plates
300 may be disposed at both ends of the battery module 100 formed by
stacking the battery units 500 so as to support the battery module 100 so
that the battery units 500 are maintained to contact each other.

[0107] The lateral plate 310 contacts one surface of the battery unit 500
so as to support the battery unit 500 from the side. The lower supporting
unit 320 is accommodated in and supported by the cover plate assembling
unit 230 of the lower frame 210 disposed below the cover plate 300. The
upper connection unit 330 supports another battery pack stacked above the
battery pack 10 when a plurality of battery packs are vertically stacked.
The lateral connection unit 340 supports another battery pack stacked
next to the battery pack 10 when a plurality of battery packs are
horizontally stacked.

[0108] The lateral plate 310 may be disposed at both ends of the battery
module 100 formed by stacking the battery units 500 so as to support the
battery module 100 so that the battery units 500 are maintained to
contact each other.

[0109] In one embodiment, assembly holes 311 may be formed in the lateral
plate 310. The assembly holes 311 may be formed in a position of the
lateral plate 300, in which assembly bars 400 are to be inserted. The
assembly bars 400 may be inserted into the assembly holes 311 so as to be
assembled and supported with the battery module 100. According to another
embodiment of the present invention, the assembly bars 400 that are
inserted into the assembly holes 311 so that the battery module 100 is
supported by the cover plate 300 may be supported by and fixed to the
lateral plate 310 by coupling elements such as screwed bolt and nut.

[0110] The lower supporting unit 320 of the cover plate 300 is on the
cover plate assembling unit 230 of the lower frame 210 disposed below the
cover plate 300 so as to be supported and fixed. In one embodiment,
coupling holes 321 may be formed in the lower supporting unit 320.

[0111] The coupling holes 321 may be formed so as to correspond to the
coupling holes 231 formed in the cover plate assembling unit 230. The
coupling holes 321 may be coupled to the coupling holes 231 of the cover
plate assembling unit 230 by a coupling element 350 such as a bolt and a
nut so that the cover plate 300 is fixed to the frame 200.

[0112] The upper connection unit 330 may support and fix another battery
pack when a plurality of battery packs are vertically stacked. The upper
connection unit 330 may be coupled to a lower surface of a cover plate
assembling unit of a lower frame 210 of another battery pack that is
stacked above the battery pack 10.

[0113] In one embodiment, coupling holes 331 may be formed in the upper
connection unit 330. The coupling holes 331 may be formed to correspond
to the coupling holes 231 of cover plate assembling unit of the lower
frame of the battery pack that is stacked above the battery pack 10. The
coupling holes 331 may be coupled to the coupling holes 231 of the cover
plate assembling unit 230 by coupling elements such as a bolt and a nut
so that the upper connection unit 330 is fixed to the cover plate
assembling unit of the lower frame of the battery pack that is stacked
above the battery pack 10.

[0114] The lateral connection unit 340 may support and fix another battery
pack when a plurality of battery packs are horizontally stacked. The
lateral connection unit 340 may be coupled to a lateral connection unit
340 of a battery pack that is stacked next to the battery pack 10.

[0115] In one embodiment, a coupling hole 341 may be formed in the lateral
connection unit 340. The coupling hole 341 may be disposed so as to
correspond to a coupling hole of a lateral connection unit of the battery
pack that is stacked next to the battery pack 10. The coupling hole 341
may be coupled to the coupling hole of the lateral connection unit of the
next battery pack by coupling elements such as a bolt and a nut so that
the lateral connection unit 340 is fixed to the lateral connection unit
of the next battery pack.

[0116] By the cover plate 300, at least two battery packs may be stacked
in at least one of horizontal and vertical directions so as to be easily
supported by each other, and thus the manufacture of an assembly battery
pack may be completed.

[0117] According to the described embodiments of the present invention, in
a battery pack including at least one battery cell, the insulating and
cooling properties between battery cells may be improved.

[0118] While the inventive concept of the present invention has been
particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments
thereof, it will be understood that various changes in form and details
may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
following claims and their equivalents.